Retirement of Latin teacher has West Geauga students, parents concerned

The announcement of West Geauga High School's longtime Latin teacher William Prueter's retirement has stirred up many questions related to the effects the program's loss would have on students and the school.

Among issues raised by students and parents at a recent school board meeting was students' inability to receive an honors diploma because of the requirement to complete three years of study in a foreign language. If Latin classes are not offered in the 2013-214 school year some students who have already taken two years of the language would come up short.

In the past, some students have received perfect scores on the National Latin exam, a distinction accomplished by few who take the test.

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For example, in 2008 less than one-half of 1 percent of the approximately 150,000 individuals taking the test earned the flawless mark. David Moskowitz and Kevin Kramer, both West Geauga Latin students at the time, were among those attaining perfect scores.

Board president Bill Beers spoke highly of Prueter's contributions to the school.

"I can't imagine there's anyway we can replace Mr. Prueter," he said.

Prueter, who has taught the language for more than three decades, is the recipient of numerous awards for his work including the American Classical League's Dr. Elizabeth Watkins Latin Teacher of the Year Award in 2008.

At that time, West Geauga High Principal David Toth said Prueter "is probably one of the most passionate people I've witnessed about the subject area he teaches."

On Wednesday, Superintendent Geoffrey Palmer wrote in an email that applications for the position have been received and interviews are scheduled.

At the meeting last week Palmer presented a technology plan for the district.

"There's a big belief now that we need to make technology available all the time," he said. "It's no different than a pen or pencil."

Immediate expenditures will be $50,000 for iPod carts. The plan also includes approximately $100,000 to purchase Chromebooks over the summer and $150,000 for classroom audio and projection needs in the summer of 2014.

Palmer discussed the possible implementation of a Bring Your Own Technology initiative beginning in the fall at the high school and in the fall of 2014 for the middle school.

Tim Clark, district technology specialist for Forsyth County School District in Georgia, discussed Bring Your Own Technology in an article on the nbc.news website,

"It's really a simple thing," he is quoted as saying. "Kids have technology in their pockets and (are) taking them to school, but trying to hide them from teachers and from their parents. What we're trying to do is have the kids take them out of their pockets and use (them) for instruction."

The West Geauga School Board unanimously approved the hiring of a technology integration specialist for the district.

Palmer also discussed the possibility of creating an administrative position to coordinate grants, testing and special projects. He noted that the coordinator would spearhead work for competitive grant money as well as assist principals with meeting needs for new, upcoming teacher evaluation models.

School safety was another topic mentioned.

"If the board is thinking about spending money on safety I think the best place to put it is in a school resource officer," said Jim Russo, district operations manager. "That would be my recommendation."

Palmer agreed and noted that cameras and other devices are useful but "people in the building are key."

School officials said they have talked with local law enforcement agencies about the possibility of sharing the cost for a resource officer in the district.